The rising cost of gasoline seems to be keeping some tourists at home. Others are willing to put their dollars in the tank and come to Shreveport-Bossier's attractions, especially the casinos.
One of the big events going on this weekend is the Mudbug Madness Festival.
Local tourist industry officials say Shreveport-Bossier has always been a drive-in destination. Most of the visitors come within a three to five hundred mile radius.
Even with gasoline nearly 70-cents higher than last year, they're still getting in their cars and coming. This Memorial Day weekend the hotels, especially the casino hotels, are virtually all booked up.
But some tourist draws have seen a drop in attendence.
Sci-Port draws most of its out-of-state visitors from Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi. Since April first this year, there were nearly a thousand fewer Texas visitors than the same time last year.
Sci-Port's Eric Gipson blames much of the drop on the high cost of getting here.
"Gas prices do make a difference in terms of whether a family will decide to put fuel in their car and travel at bit of a distance to have some fun and recreatio or stay at home because they simply can't afford to get in the car and go somewhere," said Gipson.
;)
